Perforating tool



Patented June 17, i924.

UNITEy STATES MAI-ILON E. LAYNE, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

PERFORATING TOOL.

Application led July 20, 1922. Serial No. 576,222.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Manton E. LAYNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county ot Harris and State oi' Texas, have invented a new and useful Perforating Tool7 of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a perforating tool and is particularly directed to a tool adapted for use in the perforating of Wellcasings. y

An object of the invention is toprovide a well-casing perforator especiallyadapted for use in perforating a well-casing after it is installed in a well.

Another object is to provide a tool capaj ble of forming a single vertical row of holes in the casing during each perforating stroke ot the tool and provided with means for insuring a circular spacing of adjacent rows ol such holes. t

Another object is toprovide a tool having a perforating element which is in an inoperative position during the lowering of the tool into a well casing, and to provide cooperating means operable to condition said element so that a. subsequent longitudinal translation or movement of the tool will ellect the perforation of the casing, and also capable of later increasing the width of said perforation, breaking up the liming, cementing or clogging of same.

Various other objects and advantages will he more fully apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings which form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate a preferred forni or embodiment of the invention;

Of the drawings: Figure l is a vertical section showing the perforating tool lowered into a well casing.

j Fig. 2 is a similar enlarged section show-y ing the tool in a perforating operation.

Fig. 3 is section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 showing the tool as perforating a second row of holes. v j' Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 o'Fig. 2. The tool of the present invention is particularly adapted for insertion into the casing of a well and to be manipulated from the well surface or ground level for perforating a selected portion of the well-casing to Jform a well-screen,y the tool functioning-*to successively pxerforaterelatively spaced rows of holes in t` e casing wall( y held j 4surface of the well `medial depending web 5 plates 6. are joined by y tral web 9 extends In a tool of this characteriit is necessary to provide a perforating means which is normally maintained in an inoperative position during the lowering of the tool into the casing to the selected portion to be `perforated and to provide a means operated from thewell ysurface to condition or set said perforating means Jfor a perforating operation .only during a perforating stroke of the tool. Further it `is necessary to provide a means insuring the perforating of each row of holes in spaced relation to the preceding row to equally distribute `the several rows around the casing, such` means, in the present instance' consisting of a pilot or locating element which'may engage in a row of perforations and guide the tool so'that the next row 'of perforations will be located in spaced relation to the preceding row, whereby the several rows `*will not yutility in the use of the'tool for the puroverlap or be so close together as to cause pose vof correcting a clogged condition of thescreem especiallywherethe well is located in territorieswhere water containing lime or other elements such as-Will encrust the perforations, and also vfor the purpose of widening previously punched holes. In such use it is necessarv that the perforating means register with the previously punched holes of the screen, and this can only loe accomplished means forv engaging formed holes `as a guide for the 'tool during the relieving of such clogged condition of the perforations. V

In the drawings, casing'to body of the perforating tool which is provided with' a screw-threaded head 3 joined to a tubular tool shank 4 extending'tov the and by which ythe tool is' operated. l The body of they tool may be l' designates a wellformed of a single piece of material or it maybe constructed of several kpieces joined together' t'o forma unitary structure. As shown in the drawings, the head 3 has a relatively spaced upper side plates 6 by rivets 7 and the lower ends of said side rivets y8 to a central web 9'. In turn, the lower endof the 'cenjoined to opposed witha tool having a locating f the rows of previously v beperforated and 2 designates the between the upper. ends of opposedY `relatively spaced lower side plates andis joined theretoy by rivets 11, the lower ends of the plates 10 being maintained in spaced relation by a spacing block 12, with the plates 10 and block 12 secured together by rivets 13.

This provides a body having'y an upper transverse slot 14 and a lower transverse slot 15, andthe central web 9 is bent or twisted-spirally so that the diametric plane of theV upper slot 14 is inclined or askew relative to that of the lower slot 15 to the amount ojf 45')O or one-eighth of a circle.

' Positioned in the upper slot 14 is a rotary piloter locating` wheel 16 having a plurality of relatively spaced locating studs 17 projecting from its periphery, and provided with a shaft 18 projecting through transversely VelongatedV slots 19 in the opposite side `plates 6. Each end of said shaft is engagedby the free end of a spring member 20,' theA opposite end of said spring being secured lto the respective plate 6 by Va stud 21 with'its medial portion engaging an vabl'itment pinl 22. This provides a toothed rotary locating member which is yieldingly Y urged toivards'the' casing wall.

In, the upper portion of the lower slot 15 isf'an Vabutment roller 23which is journaled on a shaft 24'ca`r`ried by the side plates 10, and which extends beyond the body oit the t'ool to'engage the wall of the casing. Belw the roller 23, the opposite side plates lhaveV relatively aligned angled, that is, inclined cam slots 25 and positioned within the slot 15 is a rotary perforator element having its shaft Q6 extended through the cam slots 25Y and supported upon the lower e'nds'of depending rods 27. The rods Q7 extend `upwardly on opposite sides ot the body and through apertures in the head their upper ends beingV joinedv to a plunger 28. l

Surrounding each rod 27 between said plunger and the head 3, is a spring 29, these springsexercising their tension to normally maintain't'he perroratingA element in elevated position, as shown in Fig. 1, with .its shaft in the upper ends of the cam slots Q5 and the perforator withdrawn from operative pesitioni y Y i `The p rfo'rato'r element 30 is provided 'with a plurality of relatively spaced vpunch 'members 31. in the present instance there being eight of such punch members, and while it isA desirable that the diameter of the pert'e'ratorY element and the number oi its punch inember'sl Vbe equal to the diameter of theV member 16,",nd the number otits loeatingY studs 17,it is at least necessary that the studs 1 '7 be spaced apart the same dis tancea's are' thefpun'ch members 31.

l'ri-ferably1 the p'erforator element is of sectional 'construction permitting a quick and easy 'removal and replacement ofthe punch members 31, and as illustrated in Fig.

the element 30 consists of an inner abutment disc 82 against which the inner ends of the several punch members abut, a side disc 33 against which one side of the punch members seat, and a disc 34 having an inturned peripheral flange 35 engaging into notches cut in the several punches, the three discs being' clamped together by bolts 36. .3y this construction those punch members which become worn or broken may be easily and quickly replaced byrnew punch members, or in case it is desired to substitute a complete set or longer or shorter punch ineinbers such substitution may likewise be easily and quickly accomplished.

For the purpose or rendering the perforator element operative I provide means independent ot the body and located within the casing above the tool. This means is controlled trom above, and may be in the form or a weight 40 which is attached to a cable 41 or ether means leading to t'he surface oi'1 the well, and which when lowered to rest upon the plunger 28 overcomes the tension the springs 29, forcing the reds 2T downwardly. This forces the shaft .26 or the pertorator element downwardly in the cam slots 25 thereby causing the perforater element to be torced'tr'ansversely away vtreni tne abutment roller 23 so Vthat the punch members 31 will penetrate the wellcasing' successively during a rotation of the peri'orator element by a longitudinal tra-nslation of the tool. Y

ln the operation of the toolin perforating a well-casing the tool is lowered into the well as shown in Fig. 1. During such initial lowering or' the tool, the springs 29 are et iective to niaintainithe perforator element 30 ininoperative elevated position with its shaft 26 in the upper ends ot the cam-slots Then the teol has reached a position where it is desired to perforate the casing,

the weight 4 0 will be lowered into thetubu-Y lar shank to engage and torce the plunger 28 and connected parts downwardly, this causing the pertoratorV element 30 to be Cir llt)

torcedl'to an operative position, as previi ously explained. The tool is then moved longitudinally in the well-casing, by suitable means at the surface, the rolling action ot the peri-'orator element 3()y causing its punch members 31 to successively penetrate the casing Vand term a vertical row of holes. Upon completing the first row of holes, the weight 40 is elevated trom engagement with the plunger 28,the springs 29 again becoming effective to `elevate the perforatcr element 30 to normal inoperative position. The tool is then rotated on the axis of the casing` through any angle Vof 45? andotherwise manipulated until the studs v17 ot the locator wheel register with the row of holes previously punched, this vengagement of the studs 17 into said holes being automatic by reason of the locator wheel 16 being conv stantly urged outwardly by the springs 20. With the locator studs 17 meshing into the holes previously punched, the perforator element 30 will be positioned to engage the casing at a point one-eighth of a turn spaced from said previously punched row of holes, and with the tool so positioned, the weight l0 is again lowered to render the perforator elementef'fective and the tool then longitudinally translated in a perforating operation, as before explained.

This sequence of operation is continued imtil the casing is perforated at circularly spaced intervals throughout its circumference, after which the tool may be removed from the well. i i

From the above it will be understood that I have provided a perforating tooloperable from the well. surface to perforate vertical rows of holes in the well-casing to form Va welliscreemto clean or increase the size of previously punched perforations, and that I have incorporated in said tool means by which the several rows oflioles will be located in definite circularly spaced relation with each row of holes serving as guide means for the tool rduring the perforating of the next adjacent row. t

The device as shown and described is of a preferred form of embodiment and is well adapted to fulfill' the objects primarily stated, but it is to be understood that I do not desire to limit the invention in this `regard for it is susceptible of yembodiment in various other forms all coming within the j having` relatively spaced longitudinal walls scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

l. A .well-casing perforating tool comprising a body adapted to be moved within a casing in a perforatingoperation, a perforator element carried by the body and diametrically disposed within the casing to rotate in a vertical plane, said element-'having a plurality of relatively spaced punch members projecting from its periphery, means normally maintaining the 4perforator element in anv inoperative position, a weight within the casing above the tool and means co-operating with the weight to force said element transversely to cause the punch members to penetrate the casing successively as the perforator element is rotated by a longitudinal movement of the tool in the casing.

2. A well-casing perforating tool comprising a body adapted to be moved within a casing in a perforating operation, said body having relatively spaced longitudinal side walls provided with relatively aligned angled cam slots, a rotary perforator element having a plurality of relatively spaced punch members projecting from its periphery, and positioned between said side walls with its shaft slidable in the cam slots, and means normally maintainingsaid shaft at onev end of said slots andthe perforator 'n inoperative position, and a weight within the casing above the tool and cooperating with said lastnamed means' to move said shaft towards the opposite ends yof said slots and force the perforator element transversely to cause the punch membersto penetrate the casing successively asr the perforator element is rotated by a longitudinal movement of the tool in the'casing.

3. A well-casing perforating `tool Vcomprising a body adapted to be moved Within a casing in a perforating' operation, said body having relatively spaced longitudinal side walls provided with relativ-ely alignedv angled cam slots, a rotary perforator element baving a plurality of relatively spaced punch Amembers projecting from its periphery-pcf sitioned between said sidewalls and mounted on a shaft slidable in the cam slots,`tension means yieldingly maintaining said shaft in one end ofthe slots and the perforator element'in inoperative position, and means within the casing controlled from above to co-operate with said tension means to move said shaft towards the opposite ends of saidslots andvforce the perforator yelement transverselyto cause the punch members to penetrate the casing successively as the perforator element is rotated by a* longitudinal movement of the tool in the casing. c

4. well-casing4 per forating tool' comprising a body adapted to betranslatedin `a casing in a perforating operation, said body providedy with relatively aligned angled cam slots, a rotary perforator element having a, plurality of relatively spaced punch members projecting from its periphery, positioned between said side walls, and having a shaft slidable inthe cam slots,f-suspension means carrying the perforator element and engaging its shaft, spring means normally maintaining the suspension means elevated, and the perforator element in inoperative position with itsshaft in the upperv portions the casing above the tools adapted to llovver the suspension means to translate the perforator element transversely and cause the punch members to penetrate the casing successively as the perforator element is rotated by a. longitudinal translation of the tool in the casing. c

5.` A well-casing perforatingy tool comprising a body adapted tobe moved casing in a perforating operation, a perforator lelement carriedby the body and diametrically disposed to rotate in a vertical plane, said element having a pluralityof relatively spaced punch members projecting from its periphery, means forcing the of the camy slots, and means located within i within a perforaton element transversely tolcause the punhfmembers to penetrate the casing successively asthe perforator element. is rotated by. a` longitudinal movement of the tool in the casing, and a rotary locating element carriedfby the body having means for engaging perforations already made and yieldinglyurged towards the` casing Wall, said locating elementoperating to facilitate the positioning ofthe tool for a second perfofaing operation- 6. A Well-casing perforating tool compris.- ing`- a bodyv adapted to be moved Within a casing in a perforating operation, a perforator element carried by the body and diametrically. disposed to. rotate in a vertical plane, said element having a plurality ofrelatively spaced punch members projecting ,from its periphery, means forcing the perforator element transversely. to cause the 'punch members to.- penetrate the casing successively` asl the. perforator element is ro.- tated by a longitudinal translation of the tool inthecasingyand a rotary locating element carried by the body and yieldingly vurged towards the casing Wall, said locating elementbein-g diametrically disposed Within thecasing. to rotate in a vertical plane forming an angle with the vertical plane of the perforator element, and having means for yengaging.theperforations already made and thereby vfacilitate positioning thetool for another perforating movement.

7. A Well-casing perforating tool compris` ing a body adapted to be` moved Within a casing. in alperforating operation, perforator means carried by the body and having a rolling.- cooperation with the casing during a longitudinal translation of the tool to punch a row of holes in the casing, and locating.A means having. means for engaging with a previonsly formed row of. holes in the casing.- to facilitate. positioning the tool fon` another perforating operation and preventaA turning of theA tool about the: axis of the casingV during a perforating operation.

48.. A Wella-casing perforating tool comprising a body adapted to be moved Within a casing, ina perforating operation and having-a shank extending tothe surface of the Well and by Which the tol is manipulated, a perforator element carried bythe body and normally maintained in inoperative position, a member adapted for manipulation from the Well surface for rendering the perforating means operative, and means cooperating With the casing to guide the' tool during a perforating operation.

9. A Well casing perforating tool comprising a body constructed to be moved Within-a casing in Va perforating operation, an abutment roller carried by the body to engage thecasing Wall, perforator element also carried by the. body and diametrically disposed Within the casing to rotate in a vertical plane and engage the casing` at a point opposite to the said roller, said element having a plurality of equidistant punch members projecting from its periphery, means for normally maintaining'the perforator in inoperative position, arotary loeating` element carried by the body to rotate in a vertical plane and engage the casing wall at another point out of line with the points of engagement of the said roller and the perforator element, and means operating to force said perforator element transversely away from the abutment roller to cause the punch members to penetrate the casing successively as the perforating element is rotated by a longitudinal movement ofthe tool within the casing.

l0. A Wella-casing perforating tool com'- prising a body, having an angled cam slot,

a rotary perforator element mounted in the slot and adapted to be translated in the slot from an operative to an inoperative position, spring means normally maintaining 'said perforator element in the inoperative position, means for forcingl the perforator element into the engaging position, and means for manipulating said last named means from the top of the Well casing.

Signed at Memphis, Tenn., this th day of June, 1922.

n MAHLoN E. LAYNE. Witnesses i ADA A. LONG, C. D. VVooDBURiv.. 

